Resilient wheel for vehicles.



c. G. CAPWELL.- RESILIBNT WHBEL'I'OR VEHICLES. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 12, 1910. 7

998,953, Patented July 25,1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

0. G. GAPWELL; BE SILIENT WHEEL ron VEHICLES. APPLIOATIOR FILED SEP'QT. 12, 1910.

' Patented July 25,1911. 7

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED" STATES PAiTELN OFFICE- comvrnnnn o. CAPWELIJOF nosmnniinn. massacnnsn'rrs, assronon or THIRTY- snvnn ONE-HUNDREDTHS T0 FRED nawrrsnn. or scorn ACTON, MASSACHUSETTS,

AND TWENTY-FIVE ONEJIUNDREDTHS TO JOH N Hi ;MQORP,, BOSTON, MASSA- cnusnrrs. 7

lb ail whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, ConR'rLANn' G. CAP- WELL, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Roslindale, county of Suffolk, Stateof Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Resilient Wheels for Vehicles, of which the following description, in

connection with the accompanying drawing,

is a specification, like characters on the drawing representing like parts.

This inventionrelates to vehicle wheels of I the type wherein the rim or fellyis rigidly partial section of a sutiicient portion of a.

connected by spokes with an outer hub member which is yieldingly connected with an inner hub member always concentric with the axle, yielding connecting means between the two hub members permitting the wheel to yield understrain and by its resiliency obviating the use of cushion tires.

My invention has for its object the production of novel connecting and controlling means between the two hub'members, whereby while the desiredresilience of the wheel as a whole is attained the construction is sim le, durable, and etlicient.

T e various novel features of my invention will be fully described in the subjoined specification and particularly pointed out in the following claims.

Figure 1 is an inner side elevation and resilient wheel embodying ny present invention, the inner cap plate being-broken out centrally to show parts normally covered thereby; Fi 2 is a transverse section on the line 22,'F1g.' 1, but with the axle and some of: the adjacent parts shown in elevation; Fig. 3 is a view similar 1, but showin certain modifications in details, to be re erredto; Fig. 4 is-a detail'in side eleva-.

tion of a part of. the structure illustrated in the member A at .its inner fm'by bolts of,"

BESILIENT WHEEL ron vnniiinns which passthrough ears a 'on the inner circumference of said ring, .four.of such bolts .being shown in Fig. 1.

The flange ring and interposed periphery of the member A form a channel in which are tightly titted the butt ends of a, series of longitudinally rigid spokes B, secured in any suitable manner at their outer ends to the wheel rim or felly (notshown). Hercin'I have shown bolts 0 as passing through the butts of alternate spokes and through the ring a and flange (1, to assist in retaining the butts of the spokes in place.

Upon the inner circumference oi the hub membey A I form a plurality of pairs of abutments a, 11*, having longitudinally, concaved faces, and the two abutments opposite each other constituting a pair are arcs of a circle struck from a common center indicated in Fig. 1 ata? The abutments are arranged symmetrically with relation to the center of the member A, and the part a thereof between adjacentabutments a, a has extended from its innerface a boss a terminating in a stud a, the several bosses and studs being parallel to each other and to the axial center of the member A.

The inner hub member, to be described, is permanently concentric with the axle, and by means of yielding connecting and sustaining means between the-inner and outer hub members the latter is free to assume eccentric positionswith relation to the axle,

-;a s will be apparent hereinafter. Said inner .hub member is made as a casting compris:

ing a central hub portion (3 which receives and is keyed or otherwise fixed upon the axle D and held thereupon by a retaining nut d,

the hub portion C having a lateral web c provided with three symmetrical edges,

'upon each of which is cast a cylinder C". Fig. 3, to be referred/to; Fig. 5 is a detail are so positioned that the longitudinal axis feach is at right angles to a radius of the inner hub member, and that each cylinder is interposed between an opposed pair of abut- V ments a, a, but at some distance therefrom.

The center point a for each pair of abut mentsjsat the intersectioqof the tndinal axis of the interposed cylinder with screwed into the other end.

the radius of the inner hub member whicl is at right angles to such axis. 2 I

In the constr ction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 eaclrcyliiider has a centrally apertured head 0 at one end and a retaining ring 0' is Like plunger boxes c are located within the cylinder, each box ha ing atubular extension 0 projecting beyond the cylinder end, and a lateral, lipped flange c which-moves slidably Within the cylinder, at strong spiral spring S being v interposed between the flanges of the two boxes. The detachable ring 0" enables me to assemble the parts in the cylinder, and the spring 5- presses the boxes 0'' against the adjacent ends of the cylinder under normal conditions, while permitting a yielding movement of either box within the cylinder under certain conditions. A plunger c is longitudinally slidable in each extension 0 and its inward movement is resisted by a spring 8 within the box, as shown in Fig. 1, the outer end of the plunger being made ball-like at c to lit into a socketed head 0 having :1 convex end to press against the opposed abutment a? or a as the case maybe. 'l'hatis, one plunger-head coiiperates with an abutmentr.z while the opposite plunger-head of the same cylinder C" cooperates with the other abutment a of the pair. I

The springs s are preferably so wound or set hat they are practically inert until the plunge-rs, one or the other, are subjected to inward pressure due to a relative movement of the inner and outer hub members, and when a plunger is subjected to such pressure it will more inward against the resistance of its springs to a greater or less degree, according to thc'amount of such pressure, which is transmitted through the adjacent abutment.

In order to at all times maintain the two plunger-heads of a pair 'icldingly pres ed against the cotiperating abutments I attacl fiitedly to one plunger a central transmission rod 0*, which passes freely through holes in the plunger boxes 0 and its other end slides in a sleeve 0 Fig. 1, fixed in the opposite plunger, a-relatively lightspring s-'-' in the sleeve acting upon the end of the rod. As will be apparent this spring will, by its expansive action, tend at all times to separate the two plnngers and maintain their heads 0 yieldingly in engagement with the opposed air of abutments. This separating spring an! no function in taking up or. absorbing I strains due to the operation of thewhecl, for

such strains are in the first instance taken up by either or both of the springs a, and

' if thetrain and pressure'are greatenough the spring R will he called into action. That. is, the first working pressure, as it. may be termed, will be taken by the spring a when its plunger is moved inward to compress such spring, and after a certain amount of compression is exerted the plunger and its box will be moved inward together against the action of the spring S. This arrangement effects a very complete and smooth distribution, and equalization of the more or less sudden shocks and strains to which the parts ofthe wheel are subjected when in use, and makes the wheel as a whole very much more elastic and resilient.

The ball and socket connection between the plunger and its head serves to maintain the latter at all times with its acting surface squarely against the abutment, and prevents any rough movement, chatter, or binding when the head is caused to slide upon the abutment. r

Each cylinder has atransverse saddle 0 formed thereonQto provide a support fora pin 0; on the inner end of which are pivotally connected two limiting links c, the free end of eacl linlg having a longitudinal slot 0 to fit loosely over one of the studs a, heretofore referred to. The two links connected with a cylinder coiiperate with the studs a on the parts a of the outer hub member A at the opposite ends of such cylinder, and the slot and pin connection between such studs and the pair of links-permit the relative yielding movement between 1 The springs s maybe termed the main or primary springs, while the spring S in each cylinder is an auxiliary or secondary spring, as it is not brought into action until the load carried by the wheel 18 increased beyond a certain limit determined by the stiffness of the mam springs.

By reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen that in all angular positions of the wheel'the load weight transmitted through the axle D wiilbe sustained ieldinglyby the cooperative action of at east two plungers and their abutmcnts, and such weight will be" transferred by such means to the outer hub member, and shocks or jars. due to changes in the load, or to inequalities in the ground traversed by the vehicle, will be taken up and distributed by the action of the springs.

There is always more or less relative sliding movement of the abutments and cooperating plunger-heads, but by making the ahutment's concaved the movements are smooth and unaccompanied by chattering: or

' improper vibration, and there cannot be any jamming or wedging action.

As the axle and the inner hub member thereon is yieldingly sustained by the outer screws e serve to hold the inner cap plate in position.

or spoke-carrying member the necessity for pneumatic or other cushion tires is obviated.

An outer cap plate E is held against the fiat face of the member A by the bolts 0*,

8 as shown in Fig. 2, and an inner cap plate E has a flange e provided with out-turned segmental ears e which rest against the in-' ner face 'of the member A between the ears or extensions a of the ring a.' Suitable To prevent improper relative axial movement of the inner and outer hub members I provide flat faced segmental ribs 6, e on the inner faces of the cap-plates, to cooperate with the flattened ends of the saddles 0 on the cylinders.

Plate E is imperforate, but-plate E' has an opening 6 through which the axle I)- passes, and as said opening is considerably larger than the axle it is closed by a washer e surrounding the axle inside the plate-1E.

Grease or other semi-solid lubricant can be filled into the chamber between'the capplates, to thoroughly lubricate the moving parts between the inner and outer hub members.

In Fig. 3 I show the same construction for the outer hub member, the abutments,

- and cap-plates, and the inner hub member is of the same construction, in general, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but the cylinders are different, and the plungers are mounted therein and governed. in a different manner from that heretofore 'described.' Each cylinder H" is open at both ends, andhas a transyerse central partition, h", which serves as a support for strong spiral springs S, the free outer end of each spring sustaining 49 a circular head it slirlable in the cylinder and having a semi-spherical socket h and an in-' wardly projecting tubular boss h. Figs. 3 and 4. A plunger 72, has a ball-like inner end h seated in the socket, the plunger co- I operating with one of the abutments a a,

as before described, a retaining plate It holding; the plunger in its socket. \Vhile .each plunger is held by its spring yicldingly against the opposed abutment the ball and 50 socket construction enables the plunger to jvplways maintain its proper relation to the abutment, the rocking movement of the plunger in the socket h being limited by a pin It extending from the ball loosely into the tubular boss k as will be,

apparent. Inasmuch as the cylinder ends approach quite closely to the opposed pair of abutments I cut the cylinder wall inward from each end, on the inner and outer portions, as at It, to form clearances whiehpre- A vent any possibility of the cylinder striking an abutment when an extreme relative movement of the inner and outer hub members .takes place; Eachcylinder has a saddle It which sustains a pin h, to the inner end of 2, but while the modified form is simpler it is not quite so elastic or resilientas a whole,

.forthe straris must be taken up wholly by the springs S". This arrangement, however, is well adapted for use with very heavy vehicles, where the permanent load on the wheels is large and the changing load does not cause any very material variation in the weight, or it could be used with good etfeet on trucks or other vehicles primarily designed for the transportation of freight The construction illustrated in Fi 5 differs from that shown in Figs. 3 anu 4 only in the fact that I use normally slack'chains M to limit relative rotative movement of the inner and outer hub members of the wheel,

the length of a chain when extended or taut determining the extent of such 4 relative movement.

Various changes or modifications in do;

tails of tcnstruction and arrangement" may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the claims annexed 7 hereto.

Having fully described my invention, f

what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent; is

1. The combination, with, inner and outer hub members, the latter loosely surrounding the former and having attached spokes, and symmetrically disposed, concaved abutments on the inner -circumfere'nce of the outer member, of a plurality of cylinders mounted on the inner hub member, each cylinder being interposed between an oppositely located pair o f'a'butments, and springcontrefled' plun ers carried by and ion tudinally movalfie in each cylinder and 115d in yielding engagement with the correspond.-

ing pair of abutments, the end of each plunger contacting with an abutment being convexed and corresponding to the curvature of the abutment. I 1

2. The combination, withjnner and ,outer hub members, the latter loosely; surroundin the former and having vattaelied spokes, and symmetrically disposed, concaved-abutments on the inner circumference of the outer member, of a plurality of cylindels mounted on the inner hub member, eachcylinder'bein interposed between an oppositely located pair of'-abutments,. a pair of spring-oontrolled plungers carried by and movable longitudinally in each cylinder and held in yielding engagement with the corresponding pair of opposite abutments, and means whereby the contacting portion of each plunger can tip to maintain a constant relation to its cooperating abutment.

3. The combination, with inner and outer hub members, the latter loosely surrounding the former and having attached spokes, and symmetrically disposed, cqncavcd abutments on the inner circumference of the outer member, of a plurality of cylinders mounted on the inner hub member, each c 'linder being interposed between an oppositely located pair of abut-ments, a pair of spring-controlled plunger-sustaining members carried by and longitudinally movable in each cylinder, a plunger mounted on each of said members and held in yielding engagement with the adjacent one of the oppo: sitel located abutments of a pair, and'mcans whereby the abutment-engaging portion of each plunger can accommodate itself to the face of the abutment during relatine movement ot the inner and outer hub members.

4. The combination with inner and outer .hub members, the latter loosely surrounding the former and having attached spokes, and symmetrically disposed, concaved abutments on the inner circumference of the outer member, of a plurality of cylinders mounted on the inner hub member, each cylinder being interposed between an oppositely located pair of abutments, a pair of spring-controlled plunger-sustaining members carried by and longitudinallymovable in each cylinder, a plunger mounted on each of said members and held in yielding engagement with the adjacent -one of the oppositely located abutments of a pair, and longitudinally ex' tensible means connecting and limiting relative rotative movement of said hub members.

5. The combination, with inner and outer hub members, the latter loosely surrounding the former and having attached spokes, and symmetrically disposed. concaved abutments on the inner circumference of the outer member, of a plurality of cylinders mounted on the inner hub member, each cylinder being interposed between an oppositely located pair of abutments, spring-controlled plungers carried by and longitudinally mov-. able in each cylinder and held in yielding engagcment with the corresponding pair of abutments, and a pair of divergent limiting members connected at their adjacentends with each cylinder and at their outer ends connected with the outer hub member. to limit wlative rotative movement of the hub members.

6. The combination, with an inner hub member always concentric with the axle, a pl! u'aiity of symmetrically disposed cylinders carried bv said member, a pair of oppositely extended plunger-s longitudinally movable in each cylinder and having convex outer extremities, and springs to yieldingly sustain and resist inward movement of the plungers, of a loosely surrounding, annular hub memher having on its inner circumference con-' cave abutments arranged in opposite pairs to receive between them a cylinder and to engage tli'e onvex extremities of the plungcrs of such cylinder, the curved faces of each pair of abutments having a common center.

7.'The combination, with an inner hub member always concentric with the axle, a plurality of symmetrically disposed cylindcls carried by said members, a pair of oppositely extended plu'ngers longitudinally movable in each cylinder and l'iaving convex outer extremities, and springs to yieldingly sustain and resist inward movement of the plungers, of a loosely surrounding, annular hub membcr -having on its lnner circuinference concave abutments arranged in opposite pairs to receive between them a cylinder and to engage the convex extremities of the plum adjacent ends to each cylinder and connected at their outer ends to the annular hub member adjacent the abutments between which the cylinder is located, to restrict relative r'otative movement of the hub members.

The combination, with an inner hub member concentric with the axle, a plurality of symmetrically disposed cylinders carried 9O gcrs of such cylinder, and a pair of ii vergent limiting members attached -at their by said'mernber.with their longitudinal axes atright angles to radii of the hub mtanber,- and spring-sustained plungels extended at opposite sides of the cyiinders, of a loosely surrounding annular outer hub member, longitudinally concaved abutmcnts on the inner circumference thereof arranged in opposite pairs to be engaged by the plungcrs of a cylinder interposed between them, to

vieldingly connect the hub members. and longitudinally-rigid spokes carried by the outer member. the concave faces of each pair of abutments having a common center located on the radius of the inner hub member which passes through thc'ce'ntcr of the interposed cylinder.

9. The combination with an inner hub member always concentric with the axle. a loosely surrounding outer hub member. and means to limit relative rotative movcnmr' t of saidmembers. of pairs oi longitudinally concave, oppositely located z-butmcnts on'the interior of the outer hub member. pairs of .oppositcly extended plungers carried by the inner member, each pair of planners engaging and eoiiperating with a pair of opposed a'butments, and primary and secondary springs to cooperate successively with each plunger and resist inward movement thereof when the load is increased.

10. The combination with an inner hub member always concentric with the axle, a loosely surrounding outer hub member, and means'to limit relative rotative movement of said members, of pairs of longitudinally concave, oppositely located a-butments on the interior of the outer hub member, a plu'- rality of symmetrically disposed cylinders carried by the inner hub member,-'each cylinder being interposed between a pair of opposite abutments, plunger-boxes longitudinally siidable in the opposite ends of each cylinder, a secondary spring interposed between and normally preventing inw rd uneven-lent of said boxes, a plunger slidable in each box and having its outer end in engagement with the adjacent abutment, and a primary spring in each box and coiiperating with the plunger therein to resist inward movement of the plunger, the primary and secondary springs acting successively when the load is increased beyond the resistance of the primary springs;

11. The combination with an inner hub member a'lways concentric with the axle, a loosely surroundin outer hub member, and means to limit relative rotative movement of said members, of pairs of longitudinally concave, oppositely located abutments on the interior of the outer hub member, a plurality of symmetrically disposed cylinders carried by the inner bub member, each cylinder being interposed between a pair of opposite abutments, plunger-boxes longitudinall slidable in the opposite ends of each cylinder, a secondary spring interposed between and normally preventing inward movement of said boxes, a plunger slidable in each box and having its outer end in engagement with the adjacent abutment, a primary spring cotiperat-ing with each plunger to resist inward movement thereofrelatn'ely to its box, the secondary spring acting to resist inward'movemcnt of the plungers when the load is increased beyond the resistance of the primary springs, and separate means to maintain each pair of plungers at all times in yielding engagement with the cotipcrating pair of abutments.

12. The combination with an inner hub member always concentric with the axle, a loosely surrounding outer hub member, and

means to limit relative rotative movement of said members, of pairs of longitudinally concave, oppositely located abutments on the interior of the outer hub member, a plurality of symmetrigally disposed cylinders carried by the inner hub member, each cylinder being interposed between a pair of I opposite abutments, a pair of plungers projecting from opposite ends of each cylinder,

means to maintain the plungers in viclding engagement with the opposed pair ot' abutments, at primary spring to cooperate with and resist inward movement. of eachplunger when subjected to a predetermined pressure, and a secondary spring interposed between each pair of plungers and yielding to inward movementthereof only when said plungers are subjected to pressure beyond the rcsistance of the primary springs.

13. The combination with aninner hub member always concentric with the axle, a loosely surrounding outer hub member, and means to limit relative.rotativemovement ofsaid members, of pairs of longitudinally concave, oppositely located abutments on the interior of the outer hub member, a plurality of symmetrically disposed cylinders carried by the inner h'nb member, each cylinder being interposed between a pair of opposite abutments, a pair of plungers projecting from opposite ends of each cylinder, means to maintain the plungers in yielding engagement with the opposed pair of abutments, a: support for each plunger, slidable longitudinally in the cylinder, each plunger being also slidable in its support, a. heavy secondary spring interposed between the supports and normally holding them against inward movement, and a primary spring interposed between each support and its pl anger, the primary springs yielding when the plungers are subjected to a predetermined pressure through the coliperating abutments.

-ln testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specifi -ation in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. COURTLANI) G. CAPVELL.

Witnesses:

Lnoxa Crux nnnn, THOMAS J. DRUMMOND.

Copies 0! this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0." 

